December 06, 2018

Kevin Hart out as Oscars host after homophobic tweet furor

North Philly comedian used slurs on Twitter and described his son being gay as his "worst fear"

By Emily Rolen
PhillyVoice Staff

Kevin Hart announced late Thursday evening that he will not be hosting the Oscars ceremony after first refusing to apologize for homophobic messages he posted on Twitter.

"I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year's Oscar's," Hart wrote in a Tweet Thursday.

"[T]his is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists. I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past."

I have made the choice to step down from hosting this year's Oscar's....this is because I do not want to be a distraction on a night that should be celebrated by so many amazing talented artists. I sincerely apologize to the LGBTQ community for my insensitive words from my past.
— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) December 7, 2018

Thank you for the love & laughter Melbourne Australia....27,500 showed up & showed out. Sydney Australia your Up Next damn it...Lets make tonight special #irresponsibletour… https://t.co/CRjUqaHknJ
— Kevin Hart (@KevinHart4real) December 7, 2018

Earlier Thursday night, in an Instagram video, Hart alleged the Academy of Motion Pictures and Sciences had given him an ultimatum: apologize for past anti-gay posting or step down. In the video, Hart said he was refusing to apologize, but apparently had second thoughts.

The Philadelphia native and experienced comedian was selected to host the 2019 Oscars on Tuesday. Shortly after, he deleted a 2011 tweet.

"Yo if my son comes home & try's 2 play with my daughters doll house I'm going 2 break it over his head & say n my voice 'stop that's gay,'" the tweet, which Hart deleted sometime between Wednesday and Thursday, read.

Now, he's being called out for what he's said — and not just on Twitter.

In "Oscars host Kevin Hart's homophobia is no laughing matter," The Guardian's Benjamin Lee questioned the Academy's choice, amid its desperate attempt to show "a more inclusive side," Lee wrote:

"Calling someone a 'fat faced fag,' comparing a profile picture to a 'gay bill board for AIDS' and using the term 'no homo' to frequently remind us of his superior heterosexuality. If he’s even made to comment on any of this, I imagine he will use his youth as an excuse but the tweets in question were sent in his early 30s, quite clearly old enough to know the difference between right and bigoted."

By tomorrow Kevin Hart will issue a statement. He is sorry if you’re offended. It’s just jokes. He loves gay people. Free speech. There should be no barriers to comedy. Etc etc etc.
— roxane gay (@rgay) December 6, 2018

.@theferocity has a message for Kevin Hart: "The fact is you are who you are — which is a disappointment, a toxicity, and I hope you get the help you need because you are a parent, and your children deserve better." pic.twitter.com/a6eP8ZMzGg
— AM2DM by BuzzFeed News (@AM2DM) December 6, 2018

After seeing this @benfraserlee tweet, I did a search for every time Kevin Hart tweeted "fag," "homo," or "gay." It was…a lot. And he seems to have basically stopped tweeting those words after 2011 — i.e. the year his first stand-up movie became a hit. https://t.co/P8nTOilFgx pic.twitter.com/6uzPhnvt4F
— Adam B. Vary (@adambvary) December 5, 2018

Kevin Hart has now deleted this tweet after he was named as Oscars host pic.twitter.com/fxra6gx44E
— David Mack (@davidmackau) December 6, 2018

And the Oscar for most homophobic host ever goes to... pic.twitter.com/fw9DTjSrhx
— Benjamin Lee (@benfraserlee) December 5, 2018

Lee also points out Hart's anti-gay attitude in his 2010 standup, in a 2015 profile with Rolling Stone, and that he turned down a role in 2008 because the character was gay.

During the standup bit, Hart says one of his biggest fears is his son "growing up and being gay."

"Keep in mind, I'm not homophobic," Hart said. "I have nothing against gay people. Be happy. Do what you want to do. But me being a heterosexual male, if I can prevent my son from being gay, I will."